‘Honeymoon Over’ – Sergio Perez Eyes ‘Big Steps Forward’ After ‘Incredible’ Cadillac Racing Debut

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Cadillac F1: Australian GP Debut – The “Honeymoon” Ends

1. Historic First Race

  • Cadillac F1 made its Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix, the first brand-new team on the grid since Haas in 2016.

  • Drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas took part, navigating a weekend filled with challenges.

  • Perez described completing the first race as “incredible”, despite setbacks.

2. Qualifying Performance

  • Both drivers struggled in qualifying:

    • Perez trailed the next-fastest car (Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin-Honda) by 0.7 seconds.

    • Bottas was similarly off the pace but kept within striking distance of midfield cars.

3. Race Incidents

  • Valtteri Bottas retired after 15 laps due to a fuel system issue.

  • Sergio Perez finished 16th, lapped three times during the race.

  • Perez noted multiple technical issues during the weekend, including battery problems affecting race completion.

4. Perez’s Take – “Honeymoon Over”

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  • Perez emphasized that finishing the race was a huge achievement but now the team needs to step up performance:

    • “We started with a lot of issues, but from now on obviously the honeymoon is over.”

    • “It’s all about [how] we need to do big steps forward. We need to put a plan in the team to move along and close the gap.”

  • He highlighted the competitive spirit within the team as key to improving results.

5. Bottas’ Assessment

  • Bottas offered a slightly more positive view:

    • Felt encouraged by keeping Aston Martin behind for part of the race.

    • Highlighted tyre graining on the hard compound as an early limitation.

    • Explained his race was further complicated by steering wheel issues and a fuel system warning, forcing an early stop.

    • Concluded: “This is part of the learning curve. We’ve just got to keep resolving issues and the only way is up from here.”

6. Key Takeaways

  • Cadillac F1 completed a milestone debut, but with clear gaps to established midfield and front-running teams.

  • Technical reliability remains a top priority for the team.

  • Both drivers see room for growth, with Perez emphasizing big steps forward in competitiveness for the 2026 season.